A RESOLUTION seeking to reactivate the oversight panel on the use and disbursement of intelligence and confidential funds has been filed in the Senate.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, under Senate Resolution No. 310, proposed to convene the Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence and Confidential Funds, Programs and Activities.
Mr. Sotto and Mr. Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, intended to improve intelligence operations of government agencies tasked to protect national security.
There is a need to create the oversight committee to “enable the Senate to oversee the efficiency of concerned government institutions in the production of accurate and timely intelligence information,” the Resolution read in part.
This is expected to aid in improving government responses to threats to national security.
Previous legislatures as far back as the 10th Congress had Select Oversight Committees.
The Select Oversight Committee, as proposed, will be led by Mr. Lacson, as chair of the National Defense Panel, and include four members from the majority bloc and two from the minority bloc.
It was also provided that the Committee should lead the probe into the efficiency of government agencies in using intelligence and confidential funds. The government, under the 2020 General Appropriations Act, appropriated P9.601 billion for intelligence and confidential funds.
The Committee is also tasked to conduct hearings, investigations, receive testimonies and reports relevant to this issue and recommend legislative measures.
It is also allowed to summon key sources and documents as well as require department secretaries and other government officials to keep the Committee updated on intelligence activities. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
